Speakers LittWorld 2024

Join us at LittWorld 2024. You will learn from more than 40 Christian publishing professionals from all the world regions serving as speakers and workshop leaders, and be able to interact with them during meals and break times. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain fresh vision and skills for your writing and publishing ministry. 

Here are some of the resource leaders you will meet in Puebla:

Mark Carpenter

Mark Carpenter

BRAZIL

Mark Carpenter is chairman and CEO of Mundo Cristão, a Christian book publishing house in Brazil specializing in Bible translation, development of local authors, and distribution through both Christian and general markets. Formerly an editor at Tyndale House (USA), Mark was the founding president of the Brazilian Association of Christian Publishers. He has served on MAI’s international board, including six years as board chair, and is a member of the editorial board of the Publishing Research Quarterly in New York. As a writer, editor and publisher, Mark has led numerous international training sessions on leadership, writing and the editorial process.

Sandra el Hajj Bazz

Sandra el Hajj Baz

LEBANON

Sandra is Publishing and Communications Manager of Dar Manhal al Hayat publishing house, a ministry of LSESD (now called Thimar), based in Beirut, Lebanon.  She has a Ph.D. in Translation Studies, Language & Communication Sciences from the Lebanese University and 17 years of experience in translation and content writing.

Sandra created her music blog and online presence two years ago, “A Life of Praise,” where she shares her music videos and some personal spiritual reflections. She is passionate about internal eco-tourism, traveling, singing/leading worship, reading, and writing. Sandra is married with two children, Joud and Nour. 

Cristopher Garrido

Cris Garrido

USA

Cris is Vice President and Publisher with HarperCollins Christian Publishing, where he oversees the largest Christian publishing operation in the Spanish language. He has been in Christian publishing for the past 10 years, serving in different capacities—though always focused on and prioritizing publishing indigenous voices from the Spanish-speaking world for a global audience. Prior to publishing, Cris worked in the non-profit sector leading international community development programs for various Christian organizations. He holds post-graduate qualifications in business, Christian education and publishing. Cris is married to Georgina and lives in the US with their children, Colette and Nicolás.

Sam Richardson

UK

Sam is CEO of SPCK, the UK’s largest Christian publisher with over 300 years of history—SPCK sent the first printing presses to India and the first printed books to Australia, opened the first British schools for poor children and published the first Braille books. Sam has also worked as Editorial Director at HarperCollins, overseeing religious and business books, and Publisher at Hodder & Stoughton, overseeing trade non-fiction publishing. He is a trustee of MAI-Europe, a keen marathon runner and a father of three boys.

Scott Mathews

USA

Scott is Chief Executive Officer of Tyndale House Ministries. A graduate of Wheaton College, Scott worked for Calamos Investments prior to his tenure at Tyndale. He joined Tyndale in 2017, serving in the role of Vice President of finance. He was then promoted into the role of Chief Financial Officer before becoming CEO in April 2021. Scott and his wife, Leslie, have four children and a very active life, enjoying family vacations, their kids’ sporting events and their dog, Tessa. Outside of work, Scott enjoys hiking and spending time with his family.  

Keila Ochoa Harris

Keila Ochoa Harris

MEXICO

Keila has published more than 20 books in Spanish, including fiction and devotional books. She currently creates content for the educational market with Sistema Educativo LAM, and loves training teachers and writers. 

A life-long reader, Keila also dreams of stimulating children and teens to become avid readers. She lives in the North of Mexico with her husband and two children. 

Afrika Mhlophe

Afrika Mhlophe

SOUTH AFRICA

Afrika is a widely respected author and television personality in South Africa.  He speaks and writes on racism, corruption and idolatry from a biblical perspective. He has published four books and speaks on Pressing Matters, a TV program on Faith Broadcast Network. 

Afrika serves as a board chairperson of Gateway News, an online Christian news portal, and writes regularly for the publication. His vision is to see more Christians produce inspiring and compelling content that addresses the challenges the church in Africa faces today.

Michael Collie

Michael Collie

AUSTRALIA

Michael is National Director of Sparklit Australia, an organization which seeks to nurture emerging indigenous Christian publishers in difficult places. Michael trained as a graphic designer and was a founding director of Wild, Australia’s premier adventure and wilderness magazine whose team has also fought for environmental conservation for the last 40 years. He and his wife, Elspeth, worked for 16 years with Christian book publisher Certeza Argentina. Michael loves books, mountaineering and birdwatching.

Joshua Tallent

USA

Joshua is Director of Sales and Education at Firebrand Technologies, where his focus is on helping publishers learn about, and find solutions to, their workflow and metadata problems. With a background in e-book development, metadata and other publishing technologies, Joshua is an acclaimed teacher and guide on the role of data in publishing. He serves as Chair of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) Board of Directors and hosts the BookSmarts Podcast, which features practical discussions and interviews about publishing data and technologies. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys teaching Bible studies, playing complex board games and fiddling with his home automation system.

Sally Isáis

MEXICO

Sally is Director of MILAMEX, a Mexican evangelical parachurch organization with over 60 years of history. A Wheaton College graduate, she is a writer and editor, and alongside her team seeks to train other Christian writers. Her prayer and purpose can be found in Psalm 102:18: “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” Sally leads ASAF, an evangelistic interdenominational choir, and is a worship leader in her local congregation. She has served in transcultural ministries for over four decades.

Carlos and Cynthia Rodiles

MEXICO

Carlos and Cynthia serve with MILAMEX, running a ministry center that includes a guest house for backpackers and people seeking to know more about Jesus. This center aims to give young adults and ministry leaders space to explore and pursue their calling in God’s mission. Their team coaches and empowers Latin Americans in strategy building, communications and networking to have a greater impact on their communities. Carlos and Cynthia will be the worship leaders for LittWorld 2024.

Larry Downs

Larry Downs

USA

Larry is Director and Publisher for ORIGEN, the religious imprint of Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial (PRHGE).  Over the past 35 years, Larry has served in nearly every aspect of the publishing industry–from the warehouse to the board room. Prior to PRHGE, Larry oversaw the Spanish publishing for Harper Collins Publishers. Larry has also worked as a consultant helping publishers start or better align their business units. 

David Galeano

COLOMBIA

David is Marketing Director of Editorial Portavoz. He has 15 years of experience in marketing, 11 of which are in the Christian book industry, including roles with CLC Colombia and Editorial CLC. He holds marketing and management degrees from Universidad Piloto de Colombia, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada de Colombia and Sterling Business College in Perth, Australia. David has been a speaker, panelist and trainer on branding and marketing at international publishing conferences such as the ECPA’s International Christian Publishers Conference and FILBo (International Book Fair of Bogotá), as well as at various events across North America, Latin America and Australia.

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